BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- China welcomes the U.S. offer that it would join talks with Iran over the Iranian nuclear issue, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao here Thursday.

    U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday that Washington would join the European countries in talks with Iran over its disputed nuclear issue if Tehran suspends uranium enrichment activities.

    Liu made the remark when asked to comment on Rice's statement.

    "China supports all efforts conducive to resolving the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully through diplomatic means," Liu said.

    He said China has always held that talks between the parties directly involved in the issue will create important and favorable conditions for resolving the Iranian nuclear issue.

    "It is a consistent stance of the Chinese government that international disputes should be solved through dialogues and peaceful means," the spokesman said. To solve the Iranian nuclear standoff through political negotiations accords with the interests of both China and other countries, he added.

    China pursues no selfish interests in calling for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue although the two countries have cooperation in the energy field, Liu said.

China lodges representations to Belgium over Dalai Lama's visit

   China has lodged solemn representations to Belgium over Dalai Lama's visit, said Liu.

   Liu told a regular briefing that Dalai Lama is a political figure in exile who favors separatism, and the Chinese government is strongly opposed to any country providing him with a venue for his separatist activities. 

Kyrgyz president to visit China

    At the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev will pay a state visit to China from June 9 to 10, Liu Jianchao announced here Thursday at a routine press conference. Enditem